Thomas and the Gospels
Subtitle: the case for Thomas's familiarity with the Synoptics
By: Mark Goodacre
Publisher: Eerdmans
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Grand Rapids, Mich
Language: eng
Number of pages: 226
ISBN-13: 9780802867483
Subjects: Synoptische Evangelien; Bible; Criticism, interpretation; Gospel of Thomas (Coptic Gospel); Intertextualität; Synoptic problem; Evangelium Thomae
Description: The Gospel of Thomas -- found in 1945 -- has been described as "without question the most significant Christian book discovered in modern times." Often Thomas is seen as a special independent witness to the earliest phase of Christianity and as evidence for the now-popular view that this earliest phase was a dynamic time of great variety and diversity. In contrast, Mark Goodacre makes the case that, instead of being an early, independent source, Thomas actually draws on the Synoptic Gospels as source material -- not to provide a clear narrative, but to assemble an enigmatic collection of mysterious, pithy sayings to unnerve and affect the reader. Goodacre supports his argument with illuminating analyses and careful comparisons of Thomas with Matthew and Luke.